Looking for a Jewish school for your child? There are several types available, including Day schools, Yeshivas, Hasidic, and Liberal schools. Keep in mind that all schools are not equal, and there are advantages and disadvantages to all. In this article, we’ll cover the differences between each type. Whether your child attends a Day school, Yeshiva, or Liberal school depends on what he or she needs most.
Day schools
A Jewish day school is an educational institution that is dedicated to the teaching of Jewish values and beliefs, along with secular education. Typically, a student will attend a Jewish day school for six hours each day. This can be a great opportunity for a child whose parents are Jewish or don’t believe in educating their children in a traditional religious setting. But, what are the benefits of a Jewish day school? Read on to learn more.
The benefits of a Jewish day school extend far beyond academic achievement. After graduating from a day school, a student is well-prepared to take on the demands of a college environment. In addition to academic success, a Jewish day school graduate can become a leader in their communities, as well as in their chosen fields. By offering such a program, Jewish day schools not only contribute to the lives of individual students, but also contribute to the collective human capital of Jewish communities.
Yeshivas
A typical yeshiva emphasizes Talmud study. There are two streams of Talmud study: one emphasizes learning the text in depth, often confined to a few tractates, and the other emphasizes building a general knowledge of the Talmud. Talmudic texts are interpreted by the Tosafists and Rashi, as well as various other commentators. In both streams, students will be expected to understand and analyze the text.
In 2013, more than 151,000 children attended Jewish schools in New York State, which is more than the number of children educated by the Philadelphia City public school system and San Diego Unified. Because of these high numbers, taxpayers have a stake in the success of yeshivas, and they absorb $100 million in city government funds for textbooks, special education, transportation, and more. Nevertheless, some say the schools lack in the education that students need.
Hasidic schools
Hasidic schools for Jews receive millions of dollars in government funding every year, and many of these institutions educate tens of thousands of Hasidic children. But is the education at these institutions comparable to that offered at public schools? The education department of many states has ruled that non-public schools must provide curricula that are at least “substantially equivalent” to that offered at public schools. Moreover, poor education among Hasidic children is linked to social dysfunction and high dependence on government welfare programs.
The Hasidic community is preoccupied with concepts of spiritual cleanliness and purity, as expressed in the Bible. Separation from others is a means of self-protection and of keeping categories straight. The Hebrew language recognizes the kinship between separateness and hallowedness, as their two primary meanings derive from the same root. This makes Hasidic separation from outsiders particularly useful for ensuring that Hasidic children do not mix with other people from their communities.
Liberal schools
In the early 1900s, American society placed little value on continuing education. Many people were employed in jobs that require little skill and knowledge beyond the three R’s. Unlike today, however, Jews had a much better chance of finding success in a university or college with a liberal arts education. Historically, American education had emphasized life adjustment over intellectual development. High school graduates, however, were the exception, and came mainly from the upper class.
The Yale University Undergrad Student Body: The school is the only Ivy League school to have a majority of Jewish students. Its enrollment is approximately two-thirds Jewish, compared to the average of twenty-five percent for the rest of the student body. Other schools with significant Jewish enrollment include Columbia University, Cornell University, and the American Jewish University. These institutions are also excellent choices for Jewish students, and are listed below. However, it is important to note that there are many other Jewish liberal arts colleges in the United States, so this list may not contain every school that is deemed to be a good fit for your child.
